Button

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a button including a button body  10  and a fixture  40  for fixing the button body to fabric. The button body  10  includes a shell member  11  constituting a button outer shell and an accommodation member  31 . The shell member  11  includes a button cover  22  and a neck  14  formed cylindrically on the back side of the button cover  22  and having an opening  17  at an outer edge thereof. The accommodation member  31  has a shaft  33  accommodated in the neck with a portion thereof protruding from the opening, and an insert hole  34  formed on the protruding end face of the shaft for the fixture to be inserted therein. Crimping parts  18  are formed on one of the inner periphery of the opening or on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft at specified positions with a prespecified space therebetween along the circumferential direction so as to crimp into the other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a button used, for instance, in jeans.More specifically this invention relates to a button including a buttonbody and a fixture for holding fabric such as a garment from theopposite side to the button body for fixing the button body to thefabric.

BACKGROUND ART

As a button used for a garment such as jeans, there has been known abutton including a button body and a fixture for holding fabric such asa garment from the opposite side to the button body for fixing thebutton body to the fabric.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,043 discloses a button for jeans. Thisbutton includes a button body having a button covering member and anaccommodation member incorporated inside this button covering member anda fixture for holding fabric such as a garment from the opposite side tothe button body for fixing the button body to the fabric.

The button covering member includes a front side covering materialformed by spinning metal and a back side covering member also formed byspinning metal. The back side covering member includes a cylindricalneck, a flange formed at an edge of the neck and having an outerdiameter larger than that of the neck, and an opening formed at anotheredge of the neck. An outer periphery f the front side covering member isengaged with an outer periphery of the flange to form a button having adisk-like form.

The accommodation member is made of synthetic resin and includes acollar accommodated in the button and a shaft accommodated in the neck.Another end of the shaft protrudes from the opening, and an insert holefor a fixture to be inserted therein is formed at a center of theprotruding end face.

When the fixture is inserted into the insert hole of the accommodationmember from the opposite side to the button body and through the fabric,an outer periphery of the shaft is expanded outward and contacts aninner periphery of the opening, so that the accommodation member and thebutton covering member are integrated with each other and the buttonbody is fixed to the fabric.

With the structure described above, however, the accommodation memberand the button covering member are not sufficiently integrated with eachother.

As a form of a tip of the shaft, namely a form of a cross section nearthe protruding end part protruding from the opening is formed bybeveling corners of the square with R-curved surfaces, and even when thefixture is inserted into the insert hole of the accommodation member, anouter periphery of the shaft only contacts the inner periphery of theopening, and sometimes the button covering member may rotate relative tothe accommodation member.

Generally, some decorations such as a character or a logo are providedon a surface of a button used in jeans or the like, namely on a frontside covering material of the button covering member, and when thephenomenon as described above occurs, the character or the like becomesharder to be recognized with the beauty lost, which is not preferablefrom the designing point of view.

For solving the troubles as described above, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a button capable of ensuring tight integrationof a shell member constituting a covering shell of a button and anaccommodation member incorporated in the shell member for preventingrelative rotation of the two members without fail.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The button according to the present invention includes a button body anda fixture for fixing the button body to a fabric from the opposite sideto the button body with the fabric therebetween, in which: the buttonbody has a shell member constituting an outer shell for the button andan accommodation member accommodated in the shell member; the shellmember includes a button top covering part and a cylindrical neckprovided on the back side of the button cover and having an opening atan outer edge thereof; the accommodation member includes a shaftaccommodated in the neck with a part thereof protruding from the openingand an insert hole formed on the protruding end face of the shaft forthe fixture to be inserted therein and is formed with a material softerat least as compared to that used for forming the neck with the outerperiphery thereof capable of expanding outward from the inner peripheryof the opening when the fixture is inserted into the insert hole; andcrimping parts formed on one of the inner periphery of the opening orthe outer peripheral surface of the shaft with a prespecified space inthe circumferential direction thereof so as to crimp into or be crimpedby the other.

The expression that the crimping parts are formed with a prespecifiedspace in the circumferential direction as used herein includes the casein which a plurality of crimping or fetched parts are provided in thecircumferential direction each with a step in the axial direction of theshaft.

With the configuration as described above, when a button is fixed onfabric, by inserting the fixture through the fabric into the insert holeof the accommodation member from the opposite side to the button bodywith the fabric therebetween, the shaft of the accommodation member isexpanded outward to an outer position than the inner contour of theopening.

As the crimping parts for are formed on one of the inner periphery ofthe opening or the outer peripheral surface of the shaft with aprespecified space in the circumferential direction thereof so as tocrimp into or be crimped by the other, the shell member and theaccommodation member can be integrated with each other by the crimpingparts. In other words, relative rotation of the shell member against theaccommodation member can be prevented without fail.

In addition, as the crimping parts are formed with a prespecified spacetherebetween in the circumferential direction, the crimping partsuniformly crimp into the entire periphery of the shaft, so that theshell member and the accommodation member can be integrated with eachother more tightly (uniform crimping effect).

In the button according to the present invention, the crimping parts arepreferably a plurality of protrusions formed with a prespecified spacealong an internal periphery of the opening.

The shaft preferably has a round cross section substantiallyperpendicular to the center line thereof.

With the configuration as described above, when the shaft of theaccommodation member is expanded outward in association with insertionof the fixture (into an insert hole of the accommodation member), theprotrusions formed on the inner periphery of the opening crimp into anouter peripheral surface of the shaft, so that the shell member and theaccommodation member are tightly integrated with each other. Inaddition, as the protrusions are formed along the inner periphery of theopening, when the opening is formed by punching in the press machiningor the like, also the protrusions can be formed simultaneously.Therefore, the button according to the present invention can bemanufactured with low cost and without increase of machining steps(simultaneously machining effect).

In the button according to the present invention, the protrusionpreferably has a form with the width gradually becoming smaller from theinner periphery of the opening toward the center of the opening part.The form with the width gradually becoming smaller from the innerperiphery of the opening toward the center of the opening includes, forinstance, a tooth-like form, a triangular form, a trapezoidal form, acircular form and the like.

With the configuration as described above, the protrusions have a formwith the width gradually becoming smaller from the inner periphery ofthe opening toward the center of the opening, so that the protrusionseasily crimp into an outer peripheral surface of the shaft.

In the button according to the present invention, the opening has apolygonal form having 5 or more corners, preferably having 5 to 12corners, and each side forming the polygon functions as the crimpingsection, and the shaft preferable has around cross section substantiallyperpendicular to the axial line of the shaft.

With the configuration as described above, when the shaft of theaccommodation member is expanded outward in association with insertionof a fixture (into an insert hole of the accommodation member), eachside of the polygon of the opening functions as the crimping section andcrimps into the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, so that the shellmember and the accommodation member can be integrated with each other.Even with this configuration, the uniformly crimping effect andsimultaneously machining effect can be expected.

In the button according to the present invention, the opening has acircular form, and the shaft has a cross section substantiallyperpendicular to the center line thereof and having a polygonal formwith 5 or more corner, preferably having 5 to 12 corners, and each sideforming the polygon preferably functions as the crimping section.

With the configuration as described above, when the shaft of theaccommodation member is expanded outward in association with insertionof the fixture (into an insert hole of the accommodation member), theinner periphery of the opening crimps into each corner of the polygonalcross section of the shaft, so that the shell part and the accommodationmember can be integrated with each other.

In the case of this configuration, also the uniformly crimping effectcan be expected. Further when the shaft is integrally molded, forinstance, by molding resin, it is possible to mold a section near theprotruding edge of the shaft so that a cross section thereof ispolygonal, so that also the simultaneously machining effect can beexpected.

In the button according to the present invention, the insert holepreferably has steps with the inner diameter thereof becoming smallerstep by step from an end face opposite to the protruding end face of theshaft toward the protruding end face.

With the configuration as described above, as the insert hole has stepswith the inner diameter thereof becoming smaller step by step from anend face opposite to the protruding end face of the shaft toward theprotruding end face, the shaft of the accommodation member can beexpanded largely in association with insertion of the fixture (into theinsert hole of the accommodation member). Therefore also the crimpinglength becomes larger, so that the more secure integration can beexpected.

In the button according to the present invention, the shaft has anaccommodation portion having the substantially same diameter as theinner diameter of the neck, a protruding portion protruding from theopening and crimping into the opening, and an intermediate portioncoupling the accommodation portion to the protruding portion, andpreferably a clearance is provided between the intermediate portion andthe neck.

With the configuration as described above, when a fixture is insertedinto the insert hole of the accommodation member, the shaft of theaccommodation member expands outward, but as a clearance is providedbetween the intermediate portion of the shaft and the neck, outwardexpansion of the shaft is not restricted by the neck. In addition,expansion and deformation of the neck due to the outward expansion ofthe shaft can be prevented. Because of the configuration, a producthaving an excellent appearance can be obtained.

In the button according to the present invention, a plurality ofprojected treads radially extending from the insert hole as the centerare preferably provided on a protruding end face of the shaft with aprespecified angular space, and the fixture has an insert shaft insertedinto an insert hole of the accommodation member and a flange integrallyformed on and with a base end of this insert shaft, and also protrusionsfacing the projected treads with fabric therebetween against arepreferably formed on the inner surface of the flange in thecircumferential direction around the insert hole.

In a button having the ordinary structure, when a force is loaded to thebutton body in the rotating direction, sometimes the button body and thefixture may integrally rotate against fabric.

In the present invention, as a plurality of projected treads areradially provided on the protruding end face of the shaft and, inaddition, protrusions facing against the projected treads with thefabric therebetween are provided on the inner surface of the flange ofthe fixture, namely as the projected treads and protrusions function asa rotation stop preventing rotation against the fabric, so that rotationof the button body together with the fixture against the fabric can beprevented without fail.

In the button according to the present invention, the shell memberconstituting the button body is preferably made of metal and theaccommodation member is preferably formed from synthetic resin.

With the configuration as described above, the shell member constitutingthe button body can easily be manufactured by press machining of metaland also the accommodation member by molding synthetic resin, whichensures low cost production of the button.

Further, in the conventional buttons, as the metallic portioncorresponding to the shell member and generally called body directlycontacts fabric, sometimes discoloration and degradation of the fabricmay occur due to the chemical phenomenon called as a potentialdifference. Further as the metallic portion directly contacts fabric,sometimes the fabric may be cut. To overcome the phenomena as describedabove, there has been proposed a type in which a resin insertcorresponding to the accommodation member is provided in a protrudingstate, but in this case, the body and the insert may rotate against eachother. The present invention can also solve these problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of a buttonaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a button body anda fixture have been removed from fabric according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the button body accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fixture according to theembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of a button basematerial constituting the button body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another modification of the buttonmaterial constituting the button body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of an accommodationmember constituting the button body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another modification of theaccommodation member constituting the button body according to theembodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of a fixtureaccording to the embodiment above.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is described below with referenceto the related drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a case in which a buttonaccording to the present invention is applied to that for jeans, and theview shows the state in which the button is fixed on fabric, while FIG.2 is a cross-sectional view showing each component in the state wherethe button for jeans according to the embodiment above has been removedfrom the fabric.

As shown in the figures, a button 1 for jeans according to the presentembodiment includes a button body 10, and a fixture 40 for fixing thebutton body 10 to a fabric 2 from the opposite side to the button body10 with the fabric of a garment therebetween.

The button body 10 includes a shell member 11 constituting an outershell of the button and an accommodation member 31 accommodated in theshell member 11. The shell member 11 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, abutton covering material 12 formed by spinning metal and constituting abutton cover 22, and a button base material 13 also formed by spinningmetal.

The button base material 13 includes a neck 14 having a cylindricalform, a circular flange 15 integrally formed with the neck 14, bendingfrom an end (upper edge in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) of the neck 14 at rightcorners outward, and having a larger outer form (outer diameter) than anouter form (an outer diameter) of the neck 14, a an upright upper rim 16integrally formed with an outer periphery of the flange 15 and bend atright corners to the opposite side from the neck 14, and an opening 17formed on the other end of the neck 14.

Formed in a circular portion of the flange 15 are a first circular rib15A bulged upward in FIG. 1 and a second circular rib 15B bulgingdownward in FIG. 1 respectively.

Crimping parts 18 crimping in the accommodation member 31 are providedwith a space therebetween at a prespecified position along thecircumferential direction on the inner periphery of the opening 17. Thecrimping parts 18 are a plurality of convex parts 19 formed with aprespecified space therebetween at a prespecified position along theinner periphery of the opening 17. Each of the convex parts 19 has aform with the width becoming gradually smaller from the inner peripheryof the opening 17 toward a center of the opening 17, herein forming likegear teeth.

The button covering material 12 has a disk-like form and an outerperiphery 12A thereof is engaged in and fixed to an outer periphery ofthe flange 15 from the outside. A space 21 is formed between the buttoncovering material 12 and the flange 15.

The accommodation member 31 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a collar 32accommodated within the space 21 between the button covering material 12and the flange 15, a shaft 33 accommodated in the neck 14 and having around cross section perpendicular to the center line thereof, and aninsert hole 34 formed on an end face protruding from the neck 14 of theshaft 33 for the fixture 40 to be inserted therein. The accommodation 31is made of a material softer at least than that used for forming theneck 14 and also allowing to expand the external form of the shaft 33 tothe outer position from the inner contour of the opening 17 when thefixture 40 is inserted into the insert hole 34 such as synthetic resinas used in this embodiment.

The collar 32 has a form like a disk with the outer diameter reachingthe first circular rib 15A of the flange 15 and the width substantiallyequal to the space 21 between the button covering material 12 and theflange 15.

The shaft 33 has the accommodation portion 33A having the substantiallysame outer diameter as the inner diameter of the neck 14 of the shellmember 11, a protruding portion 33C having the outer diameter smallerthan the inner diameter of the opening 17 and protruding from theopening 17, and the intermediate portion 33B having the outer diametersmaller than an outer diameter of the accommodation portion 33A andlarger than an outer diameter of the protruding portion 33C and couplingthe accommodation portion 33A to the protruding portion 33C. An outerdiameter of the intermediate portion 33B is smaller than an innerdiameter of the neck 14 so that a clearance 35 is formed between theintermediate portion 33B and the neck 14.

A plurality of (four) projected treads 36 are formed on a protruding endface of the protruding portion 33C, namely on a protruding end face ofthe shaft 33 with a prespecified space therebetween (at an angular spaceof 90 degrees) each extending radially from the insert hole 34 as acenter.

The insert hole 34 has a step-like form with the inner diameter becomingsmaller step by step from an end face opposite to the protruding endface of the shaft 33 toward the protruding end face. In this embodiment,in the insert hole 34 including a first hole 34A, a second hole 34B withthe inner diameter smaller than the first hole 34A, and a third hole 34Cwith the inner diameter smaller than that of the second hole 34B arearranged sequentially on the three steps as described above.

The fixture 40 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, an insert shaft 41 to beinserted into the insert hole 34 of the accommodation member 31, and aflange 45 integrally formed on a base end side of the insert shaft 41.The fixture 40 is made of metal.

The insert shaft 41 includes a guide part 42 having a conical tip andalso having a round cross section perpendicular to the center line ofthe insert shaft 41 and an engagement 43. The insert shaft 41 has theouter diameter larger than an inner diameter of the second hole 34B ofthe insert hole 34, and because of the difference, the shaft 33 canexpand to the outer side to crimp into the crimping part 18. Forinstance, when an inner diameter of the second hole 34B is 15 mm and anouter diameter of the insert shaft 41 is 21 mm, the inner diameter ofthe hole 34B expands by the difference, namely by 6 mm, and the shaft 33can crimp into the crimping part 18.

Formed on an inner surface of the flange 45 are protrusions 46 eachhaving a form like a quadrangular pyramid, opposing to the projectedtreads 36 of the accommodation member 31 with the fabric 2 therebetween,and provided in the circumferential direction of the flange 45 are andalso ring-formed concavo-convex portions 47 provided concentricallyaround the insert shaft 41. With the configuration as described above,when the button body 10 is to be fixed on the fabric 2 of a garment, thefixture 40 is inserted into the insert hole 34 of the accommodationmember 31 through the fabric 2 from the opposite side from the buttonbody 10 with the fabric 2 therebetween. Then, the shaft 33 of theaccommodation member 31 is expanded outward to the outer side of theinner contour of the opening 17.

In this state, the convex parts 19 are formed on the inner periphery ofthe opening 17 with a prespecified space at specified positions in thecircumferential direction, and the convex parts 19 crimp into the shaft33 of the accommodation member 31, namely into the protruding portions33C, so that the shell member 11 and the accommodation member 31 areintegrated with each other. In other words, relative rotation betweenthe shell member 11 and the accommodation member 31 can be preventedwithout fail.

Further the fabric 2 is held between the protruding end face of theshaft 33 of the accommodation member 31 and the inner surface of theflange 45 of the fixture 40. In this state, as the plurality ofprojected treads 36 are radially provided on the protruding end face ofthe shaft 33 and further protrusions 46 facing against the projectedtreads 36 with the fabric 2 therebetween on the inner surface of theflange 45 of the fixture 40, namely as the projected treads 36 and theprotrusions 46 function each as a rotation stop, so that relativerotation of the button body 10 and the fixture 40 against the fabric 2can be prevented without fail.

With the present embodiment, the following advantages can be expected.

-   (1) As the convex parts 19 crimping into the shaft 33 (protruding    portion 33C) of the accommodation member 31 are formed on the inner    periphery of the opening 17 of the shell member 11, when the fixture    40 is inserted into the insert hole 34 of the accommodation member    31 through the fabric 2, as the shaft 33 of the accommodation member    31 is expanded outward, so that the convex parts 19 crimp into the    shafts 330 (protruding portion 33C) of the accommodation member 31.    Therefore, the shell member 11 and the accommodation member 31 can    be integrated to each other. In other words, rotation of the shell    member 11 as well as of the accommodation member 31 can be stopped    without fail.-   (2) The convex parts 19 are formed with a prespecified space    therebetween at specified positions in the circumferential direction    of the opening 17, and the convex parts 19 uniformly crimp into the    entire periphery of the shaft 33 (protruding portion 33C), so that    the shell member 11 and the accommodation member 31 can be    integrated with each other more tightly (uniformly crimping effect).    In addition, when the opening 17 is formed by punching in the press    machining or the like, also the convex parts 19 can be formed    simultaneously. Therefore, the button according to the present    invention can be manufactured with low cost and without increase of    machining steps (simultaneously machining effect).-   (3) The convex parts 19 have a form with the width gradually    becoming smaller from the inner periphery of the opening 17 toward a    center of the opening 17, and the shaft 33 has a round cross-section    perpendicular to the center line thereof, so that the convex parts    19 easily crimp into the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33    (protruding portion 33C).-   (4) The insert hole 34 has a stepped form with the inner diameter    becoming smaller step by step from the end face opposite to the    protruding end face of the shaft 33 toward the protruding end face,    namely the inner diameter of the third hole 34C closest to the    protruding end face of the insert hole 34 is formed to be smallest,    so that a large space for expansion of the shaft 33 of the    accommodation member 31 in association with insertion of the fixture    40 (into the insert hole 34 of the accommodation member 31) can be    secured. Because of this configuration, the large crimping length is    secured, so that more tight integration can be expected.

In addition, in the state where the fixture 40 is inserted into theinsert hole 34, the engagement 43 of the fixture 40 is engaged by stepsin the stepped hole of the insert hole 34, so that a force required forseparating the button is large. Therefore, the button is not easilyseparated from the fabric 2.

-   (5) In addition, the insert hole 34 has three steps, and when the    accommodation member 31 is molded with resin, the core for forming    the insert hole provided in a die is required only to have a from    becoming smaller step by step, so that the core is never broken when    as a molded product is taken out, and further die cutting is    advantageously easy.-   (6) In the shaft 33, the outer diameter of the intermediate portion    33B for coupling the accommodation portion 33A to the protruding    portion 33C is smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 14 of the    button base material 13, and further the clearance 35 is provided    between the intermediate portion 33B and the neck 14, so that, even    when the shaft 33 of the accommodation member 31 is expanded outward    in association with insertion of the fixture 40 of the accommodation    member 3 into the insert hole 34, not only outward expansion of the    shaft 33 is not restricted by the beck part 14, but also the    possibility of expansion and deformation of the neck 14 due to    outward expansion of the shaft 33 can be eliminated. Because of this    feature, a product with excellent appearance can be obtained.-   (7) A plurality of projected treads 36 are radially provided on the    protruding end face of the shaft 33, and further the protrusions 46    facing against the projected treads 36 respectively are provided on    the inner surface of the flange 45 of the fixture 40 in the    circumferential direction with the fabric 2 therebetween, namely the    projected treads 36 and the protrusions 46 respectively function as    a rotation stop relative to the fabric 2 therebetween, so that    relative rotation of the button body 10 and the fixture 40 against    the fabric 2 can be prevented without fail.-   (8) The shaft 33 of the accommodation member 31 protrudes from the    opening 17 of the button base material 13, and the fabric 2 is held    between this protruding end face and the flange 45 of the fixture    40, namely the button base material 13 made for metal does not    directly contact the fabric, so that troubles caused by direct    contact between a metal-made member and fabric do not occur.

Generally, when a metal-made member and fabric directly contact eachother, discoloration or degradation of the fabric 2 easily occurs due tothe chemical reaction called as an electric potential difference, andsometimes the fabric may be cut due to contact by the metal-made part.However, with the configuration according to this embodiment of thepresent invention, any of the troubles as described above does notoccur.

-   (9) The shell member 11 constituting the button body 10, namely the    button covering material 12 and button base material 13 are made of    metal, and the accommodation member 31 is made of synthetic resin,    and therefore the button covering material 12 and button base    material 13 can easily be produced by press-machining metal, and the    accommodation member 31, for instance, by injection-molding of    synthetic resin, so that the production cost is low.

The present invention is not limited to a structure of a button forjeans described in the embodiment above, and also includes themodifications as described below.

In the embodiment described above, the so-called gear-teeth type ofconvex parts 19 are formed at specified positions with a prespecifiedspace along the inner periphery of the opening 17, but a form of theconvex parts 19 is not limited to the form like gear-teeth, and any of atriangular form, a trapezoidal form, a circular form and the like may beemployed, or it does not even have to be protruded. In brief, any formallowing crimping into the accommodation member 31 may be employed.

For instance, the opening 17 may have a polygonal form such as anoctagonal one as shown in FIG. 5, and each of the sides of this polygonmay be used as the crimping part 18. A number of corners in the polygonis five or more, and preferably in the range from 5 to 12. In this case,the shaft 33 (protruding portion 33C) has a round cross sectionperpendicular to the center line of the shaft 33.

With the configuration as described above, when the shaft 33 of theaccommodation member 31 is expanded outward in association withinsertion of the fixture 40 (into the insert hole 34 of theaccommodation member 31), each side of the polygon of the opening 17functions (works) as the crimping part 18 and crimps into an outerperipheral surface of the shaft 33 (protruding portion 33C), so that theshell member 11 and accommodation member 31 can be integrated with eachother. Even with the configuration as described above, the uniformcrimping effect and simultaneously machining effect as described in (2)can be expected.

Different from the embodiment described above, with the configuration inwhich the opening 17 par a round form and the shaft 33 (protrudingportion 33C) may a polygonal cross section perpendicular to the centerline of the shaft 33 and having five or more corners preferably in therange from 5 to 12 corners, the same effects can be achieved.

For instance, FIG. 6 shows a case in which the opening 17 has a roundform, FIG. 7 shows a case in which a cross section of the shaft 33(protruding portion 33C) is hexagonal, and FIG. 8 shows a case in whicha cross section of the shaft 33 (protruding portion 33C) is octagonal.

Even with the configuration as described above, each corner of thepolygon as a cross section of the shaft 33 (protruding portion 33C) canfunction as the crimping part 18. In other words, when the shaft 33 ofthe accommodation member 31 is expanded outward in association withinsertion of the fixture 40, the inner periphery of the opening 17 crimpinto corners of the polygonal cross section of the shaft 33 (protrudingportion 33C), so that the shell member 11 and the accommodation member31 can be integrated with each other.

In this configuration, also the uniformly crimping effect can beexpected, and in addition, when the shaft 33 is molded integrally, forinstance, by molding synthetic resin, a portion near the protruding edgeof the shaft 33 can be formed with a polygonal cross section, so thatalso the simultaneously machining effect can be expected.

In the embodiment described above, the button body 10 includes themetal-made shell member 11 and the accommodation member 31 made ofsynthetic resin, but any other material may be used for theaccommodation member 31 on the condition that the material is softerthan that used for forming the neck 14 of the shell member 11 and allowsoutward expansion of an external form of the shaft 33 to the outerposition from the inner contour of the opening 17 when the fixture 40 isinserted into the insert hole 34.

Further the material for the fixture 40 is not limited to metal, and anyother material such as, for instance, synthetic resin may be used on thecondition that the material allows outward expansion of the shaft 33 ofthe accommodation member 31 when the fixture 40 is inserted into theinsert hole 34 of the accommodation member 31.

In the embodiment described above, the shell member 11 includes thebutton covering material 12 and button base material 13, but thesecomponents may be configured integrally.

In the embodiment described above, the insert hole 34 is formed at thecenter of the accommodation member 31 and this insert hole 34 has threesteps, but the number of steps may be two or four or more, and also theinsert hole 34 may be a straight hole.

In the embodiment described above, the conical guide part 42 for guidinginsertion and the engagement 43 are formed at a tip of the insert shaft41 of the fixture 40, but the guide part 42 for guiding insertion andthe engagement 43 may be provided as several steps along the axialdirection of the insert shaft 41.

Further a plurality of projected treads 44 are provided on the outerperipheral surface of the insert shaft 41 with a specified spacetherebetween along the axial direction. With the configuration, theprojected treads 44 crimp into the insert hole 34 of the accommodationmember 31, so that the function for stopping rotation of theaccommodation member 31 and the fixture 40 can further be improved.

In the embodiment described above, a button for jeans is described, butthe button according to the present invention is not limited to that forjeans, and can be used for other types of garments or for other thangarments.

INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY

The present invention is applicable to buttons used for garments such asjeans and for other applications.

1. A button comprising: a button body; and a fixture for fixing thebutton body to a fabric from the opposite side to the button body withthe fabric there between, wherein the button body comprises a shellmember constituting an outer shell of the button and an accommodationmember stored in the shell member, the shell member includes a buttoncover and a neck cylindrically formed on a back side of the button coverand having an opening at an outer edge thereof, the accommodation memberincludes a shaft accommodated in the neck with a portion thereofprotruding from the opening and an insert hole formed on a protrudingend face of this shaft for the fixture to be inserted therein, theaccommodation member being made of a material softer at least than thatused for forming the neck and allowing for outer expansion of anexternal form of the shaft to a position outer from the inner contour ofthe opening when the fixture is inserted into the insert hole, crimpingparts are formed on an inner periphery of the opening at specifiedpositions with a prespecified space therebetween in the circumferentialdirection so as to crimp into an outer peripheral surface of the shaft,and the crimping parts are a plurality of convex parts formed atprespecified positions with a prespecified space therebetween along theinner periphery of the opening.
 2. The button according to claim 1,wherein the shaft has a round cross section substantially perpendicularto the center line of the shaft.
 3. The button according to claim 1 orclaim 2, wherein the convex parts each has a form with the widthgradually becoming smaller from the inner periphery of the openingtoward the center of the opening.
 4. The button according to claim 1 or2, wherein the insert hole has steps with the inner diameter thereofbecoming smaller step by step from an end face opposite to theprotruding end face of the shaft toward the protruding end face.
 5. Thebutton according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft has an accommodationportion having the substantially same inner diameter as that of theneck, a protruding portion protruding from the opening and also crimpinginto the opening, and an intermediate portion coupling the accommodationportion to the protruding portion, and a clearance is provided betweenthe intermediate portion and the neck.
 6. The button according to claim1 or 2, wherein a plurality of projected treads are radially provided onthe protruding end face of the shaft around the inert hole at with aprespecified angular space, and the fixture comprises an insert shaftinset-ted into the insert hole of the accommodation member, and a flangeintegrally formed on a base end of this insert shaft, and furtherprotrusions facing against the projected threads with the fabrictherebetween are formed on the inner surface of the flange in thecircumferential direction around the insert hole as a center.
 7. Thebutton according to claim 1 or 2; wherein the shell member constitutingthe button body is made of metal, and the accommodation member is madeof synthetic resin.